British Architect and Planner John Simpson Wins 2026 Driehaus Architecture Prize
Architect and urban planner John Simpson.
Earlier this month, the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture announced John Simpson, founder of London-based John Simpson Architects, as recipient of its 2026 Driehaus Architecture Prize. This marks the second consecutive year that a British architect has won the prestigious annual accolade, which recognizes a living practitioner whose work “embodies the highest ideals of traditional and classical architecture in contemporary society, and creates a positive cultural, environmental, and artistic impact.” Established in 2003 with the inaugural prize going to Léon Krier, the generous accolade—at $200,000, it’s the largest cash award for architecture worldwide—is named for the late Richard H. Driehaus, a Chicago investor, philanthropist, and champion of historic preservation.
Krier, who died in Spain last June at the age of 79, will be remembered on March 21 at Chicago’s Driehaus Museum as part of the 2026 award ceremony honoring Simpson along with 2026 Henry Hope Reed Award recipient Philippe Villeneuve for his leadership in the post-fire restoration of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. Like the Driehaus Prize, the $50,000 Henry Hope Reed Award is similarly bestowed to individuals who have “contributed to the design and building culture that cultivates the traditional city, its architecture and art through writing, planning, or promotion.”
The new atrium at the Royal College of Music, London. Photo © John Simpson Architects
Simpson is best known for his work in his native England with projects such as the award-winning redevelopment of the Royal College of Music, the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, and major educational commissions at institutions including Eton College, University of Oxford, and Cambridge University. He also has very intimate ties to the Notre Dame School of Architecture—long a bastion of classical architecture—as the architect of its 110,000-square-foot Walsh Family Hall of Architecture. Designed by Simpson with Stantec, the project melds classical features, including a Greek-style stoa that serves as the heart of the building, with contemporary sustainability strategies. Prior to the completion of Walsh Hall on the south side of campus in 2019, the university’s architecture school was located at Bond Hall, a stately Beaux-Arts edifice built from Indiana limestone that first debuted in 1917 as Lemonnier Library.
Walsh Family Hall of Architecture, the University of Notre Dame. Photo by Eccekevin, Wikimedia Commons/Creative Commons
Stefanos Polyzoides, Driehaus Prize jury chair and dean of the Notre Dame School of Architecture, praised Simpson for long maintaining that “traditional forms are environmentally sound and contribute to the sense of local identity.” Polyzoides continues: “His work amply illustrates that the practice of traditional urbanism and architecture does indeed facilitate the bonds of community by encouraging people of all kinds to share a common, living culture of building and to avail themselves of the opportunity to identify with, live, and flourish in its distinctive presence.”
In addition to his built projects—each of them “executed with a keen eye for a balance between precedent-based composition, place-appropriate siting and a focus on durability of construction”— the jury commended Simpson for his role as educator, through both his practice and formal teaching roles at institutions including the Prince’s Foundation, the University of Buckingham and Cambridge University at the Center for the Study of Classical Architecture.
“Our ancestors built wonderful and enduring cities through a shared tradition,” Simpson said in a statement reacting to his win. “When I began my career, there were only a few that held to that path. It is such a joy to see how this has changed over the years with a rising generation of architects committed to restoring the continuity that binds us to our classical roots and determined to create a beautiful and humane world for future generations to enjoy.”
The March 21 award ceremony in Chicago will feature remarks from both Simpson and Villeneuve. Their talks will be followed by a panel discussion on the legacy of Léon Krier. Moderated by Polyzoides, panelists include Ben Pentreath, George Knight, and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The event is free and open to the public, with no reservations required.
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